Wear resistance of silicon carbide and nitride based ceramic materials

Various factors that affect the nature of wear in SiC and Si₃N4₂ based ceramics have been analyzed. It is shown that adhesion, mechanochemical and diffusion interactions in the contact zone and wear due to fatigue, thermal stresses and abrasion are the predominant factors. Ceramics based on SiC and Si₃N₄ are shown to have excellent wear resistance. Poreless silicon nitride materials that have good chemical stability, heat and crack resistance appear promising as ceramic—metal friction couples and for metal machining. Silicon carbide based poreless materials are efficient ceramic—ceramic friction couples and for service under severe hydro and gas abrasive media attack.Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, No. 5, pp. 3–8, May, 1993.